Four downs with Spencer Paysinger: Linebacker talks of his increased role vs. 49ers

New York Giants outside linebacker Spencer Paysinger (54) as New York Giants prepare for the San Francisco 49ers during practice at Quest Diagnostic training center in East Rutherford, NJ 11/12/14 (William Perlman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

(William Perlman | NJ Advance Media)

EAST RUTHERFORD &dash; Spencer Paysinger has done nothing this season but say and do all the right things as he waited patiently for another opportunity to start at linebacker for the Giants.

Paysinger, 26, started 10 games last year, mostly at weakside linebacker. He's had fewer defensive snaps this season than starts last year. Yet he's handled it all in stride.

No complaints, no hard feelings, no roll of the eyes, not even when he couldn't get on the field for anything more than special teams duties when both Jon Beason and Devon Kennard were sidelined with injuries. Paysinger was buried on the depth chart, until now.

Now, with starting weakside linebacker Jacquian Williams, who took over that spot this spring and had started every game this season, suffering from a concussion, Paysinger's chance opportunity has arrived. He's expected to start on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium.

This is the opportunity he's patiently waited for this season. He's going to prove to the Giants he deserves to have a bigger role on defense, right? Not quite. That's not the way Paysinger thinks, in part because of the special bond he seems to have with his fellow linebackers. He explains it all here in this week's four downs.

First Down: How tough has this year been to you with the decrease in playing?
Really, I don't think of it in that sense. Going into this year, I knew I could play on defense, but they said they wanted me more in a special teams capacity.

Second Down: When did they tell you this? When they tendered you a [$1.3 million] contract in the offseason?
No, towards fall end of fall camp. Taking it back three or four years ago, when myself, Mark [Herzlich], Jacquian, Greg Jones came in, we said that just because someone else was playing, we should never spite them. I think that is something that has held us through together since we've been here. This unl group trio right now is no matter who is starting, no matter who is playing, we're going to support them. I'm never going to turn my back, not help Jacquian if he needs help and Mark's not going to help answer questions. I have a role on this team and it's not what it was last year, but it's just different.

Third Down: It seems you are really tight with those guys. Especially tight.
We've gone through a lot together. A lot of ups and downs together. So for the most part, that is our makeup. That is who we are.

Fourth Down: Do you view this Sunday vs. San Francisco as a big opportunity to show that you are a guy that can play defensive snaps in this league?
I wouldn't think of it like that. To me, I don't feel a lot of pressure within myself. I know I can play. I know I can be in a starting capacity. So when they Spencer your number is called, it's like, 'OK, let's go.' I don't think I have to prove anything to myself. I felt I did a lot last year to be able to play. Now I'm getting the opportunity.

Extra Point: Do you have anything to prove to them?
At the end of the day, it's what I'm doing. I can't control their thoughts, I can't control what they're thinking. I can only control what I'm doing. Yeah, you can say it's proving them something. But at the end of the day, it's am I going to make these plays or not. That's what it is out there.